This got me thinking of things that Mercedes can get away with that Hyundai would be CRUCIFIED for:
1) Here's our brand new Genesis G80 midsize luxury sedan, now standard with a 2.0 Turbo!
2) Here's our brand new Genesis G80 midsize luxury sedan, now standard with rich Corinthian vinyl seats!
3) Buy our brand new Genesis G80 luxury sedan and enjoy the added character and excitement of consistently wonky electronics!
Be real now - wouldn't we be witnessing a chorus of laughing and finger pointing and declarations about how Hyundai doesn't understand the luxury segment?
I don't think Hyundai would be crucified for a 2.0 turbo considering that the A6, 5-series, E-class, GS, and CTS all have one as standard. It's the new norm for this class.
I posed the question earlier but didn't see it addressed: For the average buyer in this class, what is the problem with having a four cylinder turbo engine in the base models?
If you don't understand, it probably can't be explained to you.
So you can't answer the question?
Disinclined to - what's the point, really, given that your views on the issue are so intransigent and entrenched?
If you seriously have no idea, then ask yourself if a 4-pot would ever be appropriate in an S-Class. If you answer "yes" - then you are beyond hope. If you
answer "no" then you already know the answer to the question you have asked.
My views are intransigent and entrenched?
I've already said that if the E-class was offered only with a four cylinder turbo, I would understand the complaints perfectly. I've even said that I myself wouldn't buy that particular model.
I'll concede that I'm a bit concerned with the way the North American E-class lineup is structured. At this point, we know that there will be E300, E43 AMG, and E63 AMG models for the sedan (and presumably a PHEV). It's been announced that the wagon will be an E400 but there's been no mention of an E400 sedan. Presumably the E550 is dead (it was already discontinued in the U.S. a two or three years ago). I think that leaves a hole in the lineup for buyers who want more power but don't necessarily want to buy an AMG model. If that's the case it's a bold move by MB, and not one that I support.
But the thing I don't understand is why we care what engine is in the base model when more powerful/traditional engines are also available, and when these base motors offer equal or better performance than the previous six cylinder models. They may not have the same characteristics, but the market seems to have accepted this as the new norm so I suspect many buyers are okay with it.
As for your question about the S-class, I guess that depends. Both the 7-series and S-class already have four cylinders in their PHEV models. The 740e goes 0-60 in 5.2 seconds and has a top speed of 155 MPH. That's not bad at all.